Battle of Muş

The Battle of Muş, also known as the Ognot campaign, took place during World War I in the southeastern Anatolian region of the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey). One of the commanders involved was Mustafa Kemal, who later became known as Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The battle resulted in a Russian victory. After extended fighting, the Russians captured the city of Muş and inflicted heavy casualties on the Ottoman Second Army, nearly destroying it.

Battle
The Ottomans faced significant setbacks following major Russian victories in the northern theater and the capture of Bitlis in the south. This forced them to redeploy troops, including veterans from the successful defense of Gallipoli against Russia's Western allies.

On 3 August, with a significant manpower advantage (2.5:1), the Turks launched a general offensive along the entire front. After fierce fighting, the Russians abandoned Mus on 6–8 August. Despite heavy pressure, the 1st Russian Division managed to decisively defeat four Ottoman divisions. Due to the remote location, the initial phase of the operation presented logistical challenges for the Russians, who in some areas faced opponents outnumbering them 3–4 to 1.

Through a combination of heroic resistance and the effective deployment of new mobile artillery, the Russians inflicted significant casualties on the Ottomans. Seizing the opportunity, General Yudnich launched a counteroffensive across the entire front.

The Russians recaptured Muş on 23 August, with Ottoman General Faik Pasha reportedly killed during the battle. Some sources place his death on 24 or 25 August.

Aftermath
A Turkish defeat in the south solidified Russia's military dominance. In the aftermath, the second army suffered heavy losses at the hands of Russian artillery, reducing it to the size of a corps.

Literature

 * Allen W. E. D., Muratoff P. P. Caucasian Battlefields: A History of the Wars on the Turco-Caucasian Border. 1828—1921 (англ.). — Cambridge: CUP, 1953. — 614 p. — ISBN 978-1-108-01335-2
 * Allen W. E. D., Muratoff P. P. Caucasian Battlefields: A History of the Wars on the Turco-Caucasian Border. 1828—1921 (англ.). — Cambridge: CUP, 1953. — 614 p. — ISBN 978-1-108-01335-2
 * Allen W. E. D., Muratoff P. P. Caucasian Battlefields: A History of the Wars on the Turco-Caucasian Border. 1828—1921 (англ.). — Cambridge: CUP, 1953. — 614 p. — ISBN 978-1-108-01335-2